Ireland's Glen Hansard would have a lot to talk about with Damon Albarn: both became famous arena-rockers in their home countries, but each only became truly known in the US through their side projects. Hansard's journey with The Swell Season has been epic: the small indie film Once was never intended for wide distribution, but several sold-out tours and an Oscar later, the AT&T Blue Room stage was packed on Friday evening. The crowd was date night personified: couples were everywhere, and the music explained why. Expanding from the duo format of the film, the full band featured tonight allowed the singer-songwriter material to play to a large audience by using quiet-loud-quiet dynamics and accenting the moody pieces with strings and drums to give them more power.

Though the group's sound likely works best in a theater venue like the Paramount (where they'll perform on Saturday), this festival show benefited greatly from Hansard's day job as leader of The Frames. He led the crowds in singalong choruses on nearly every song, conducted the band like an orchestra, and was expressive with body language and voice in a way only a seasoned rock singer could manage. During a period where the music halted due to a piano malfunction, Hansard took the reins on a solo acoustic reading (or thrashing) of Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks" that saw him channel his inner Pete Townshend. The rapid-fire strumming made it look like Hansard's fingers would soon bleed, and his finale of stomping effects pedals until the guitar sound tapered off in a wall of distortion was just about the last thing the audience expected...but they loved it. Hansard's partner in The Swell Season Marketa Irgolva finally took a turn in the spotlight toward the end on "If You Want Me," but ultimately, this was Hansard's night to shine.